Chapter 19
Mr Bennet’s approval was readily granted, although his surprise at how quickly things had progressed was obvious.
“Papa, please ask my aunt to send me some clothes as soon as possible. I am not certain how long I shall stay, but I shall send word as soon as I have news.”
“Miss Bennet—” Mr Darcy interjected, but she silenced him with a friendly yet determined smile.
“Mr Darcy, I am aware of your arrangement with my father, but Miss Darcy does not appear in a disposition to go shopping or to attend any events that might require new gowns. For the time being, please allow me to proceed as I consider appropriate.”
He looked confused and agitated, then lowered his eyes with obedience.
“Of course, Miss Bennet. Please know that, for as long as you are my sister’s guest, this is your home in all respects. Also, Mr Bennet, as well as Mr and Mrs Gardiner, may come to visit at any time they wish. I hope they will.”
“Thank you, sir. For now, my only concern is Georgiana’s comfort. I shall return to her now. Papa, I hope you will not return home immediately?”
“Not at all. I need to stay long enough to avoid that ball, or otherwise your mother will drag me to it.”
It was only a few minutes until Elizabeth returned to Georgiana’s room. Climbing up the stairs, she remembered Mr Darcy’s words about it being her home. She knew he was only saying so for politeness, yet a slightly unsettling feeling enveloped her.
By the time she entered, she found Georgiana seated in an armchair near the fireplace, a warm blanket round her shoulders. In front of her was a small table, with two more chairs waiting. At Elizabeth’s entrance, the girl’s face brightened with relief.
“I took the liberty of making a little arrangement so we can eat more comfortably.”
“That is perfect, Mrs Annesley. Let me help you with the dishes,” Elizabeth replied. They filled three bowls of soup, poured some tea, and set out cold meat, bread, and fruit, then both sat down with Georgiana.
Elizabeth’s attention returned to the young girl, and she immediately noticed that she was wearing the twin necklace. They shared a smile, and Elizabeth said, “The sapphire is perfect for you, Georgiana.”
“And the rubies for you, Lizzy,” the girl said shyly.
“Lady Anne was too generous with me,” Elizabeth said. “I am not sure I am worthy of her gift, but I do love it.”
“I am sure you are, Lizzy. My brother believes so too.”
Elizabeth felt her cheeks burning. “Mr Darcy is too generous to me too,” Elizabeth responded, wondering when Mr Darcy had made such a statement to his sister.
The atmosphere suddenly became heavy with emotions and brought a moment of silence.
“We should eat. The soup will get cold,” Mrs Annesley suggested.
“I am not very hungry, but it is pleasant to sit here with you,” Georgiana confessed.
“I am very hungry, but I intend to only eat as much as you do,” Elizabeth responded.
Georgiana gazed at her, puzzled.
“That is unfair. I usually eat very little,” she whispered.
“My dear Georgiana, when you know me better, you will see I am not fair at all when it comes to my friends’ well-being. I must warn you that I shall use any schemes to see you feeling better and healthier,” Elizabeth answered, causing Mrs Annesley to give a little smile of satisfaction.
“Oh…” the girl murmured.
“And even worse, now you have invited me to stay, I shall not be easily sent away, even if you want me gone,” Elizabeth added with teasing determination.
“I do not wish to send you away,” Georgiana replied with a trace of panic.
“I am glad to hear that, because I would like to stay for a while. My only concern is that, if you keep up these eating habits, I might be starved to death!”
Mrs Annesley let out a chuckle, and even Georgiana smiled.
“I would not wish that,” the girl admitted while tentatively sipping some soup. Elizabeth smiled too.
***
The small meal proved to be successful. At Elizabeth’s constant nagging, Georgiana tasted everything. Not more than a few bites, but Mrs Annesley’s repeated glances of surprise revealed that it was more than usual.
After they finished eating, Mrs Annesley offered to show Elizabeth her room. Georgiana encouraged her, claiming she would like to rest for a little while also, so Elizabeth agreed.
While she returned to the bed, Elizabeth and Mrs Annesley exited quietly. They needed only a few steps to reach the other door, which Mrs Annesley opened.
Elizabeth glanced around only briefly; the room was almost as large as Georgiana’s bed chamber, with elegant furniture, a generous bed with crisp sheets, and several pillows.
It was rather cold, a sign that the fire burning lively in the hearth had only recently been started.
“The master had this room prepared, in case you wished to stay, Miss Bennet. However, if you prefer a larger one, there are several guest rooms and two apartments. Mr Darcy said you may choose whichever you want.”
“This one is perfect. I shall only need it for sleeping. Otherwise, I prefer to spend my time with Georgiana.”
“Did you bring a nightgown with you, Miss Bennet? If not, Miss Darcy has several new ones which I believe would fit you well.”
“That would be lovely, thank you. I brought nothing with me, as I did not expect to remain from the first day. But…Mrs Annesley, all is well, except…may I ask you more about Georgiana’s state?
You have been with her all this time. Could you please help me with more details?
What is wrong with her? What did the physician say? What is the nature of her illness?”
“I have been with her almost every minute of the day, Miss Bennet, yet there is not much more I can tell you except what I assume the master has already related to you. I have been Miss Darcy’s companion since August, after her former one was dismissed.”
“Yes, I know that. Mr Darcy confessed he was very pleased with your service and attachment to Georgiana.”
“I am glad to hear that, but I doubt my abilities to be of use to Miss Darcy. She is so sweet and gentle, and kind, and yet she seems so distant most of the time that I wonder if she does not trust me or does not like me. I am glad you are here, Miss Bennet. I hope you will succeed where I have failed.”
“I would not agree with such a conclusion, Mrs Annesley, and I would certainly not say you have failed. Something has affected Miss Darcy’s health in recent months.
She would not tell me what, but I am certain you are not to be blamed for it.
She might be more open with me because of our past meetings. ”
“I pray she will, Miss Bennet. Let me know if you need anything else for your comfort.”
“There is nothing else, thank you, Mrs Annesley. I assume you are very tired. I believe you should rest now, since I intend to keep Miss Darcy company myself.”
“Oh, I could not…”
“Please do so. There is no use having both you and Georgiana exhausted.”
“You are very considerate, but I shall ask Mr Darcy first.”
“Of course. Now I shall return to Georgiana,” Elizabeth concluded.
After the conversation, she was torn between relief that there was no specific illness affecting Georgiana and concern that the reason for her distress remained hidden. She decided not to enquire further until the girl was willing to open her heart.
Elizabeth returned to Georgiana’s chamber and sat in an armchair, watching the girl sleeping, while thoughts and emotions surrounded her.
Everything had unfolded so quickly that she had no time for proper consideration. However, her father and uncle would leave soon, and she would be left alone with Georgiana. In Mr Darcy’s house.
That knowledge was disturbing in ways she had never felt before.
No, she was not worried about being in a man’s house.
Mr Darcy was not the sort of man one needed to fear in that way.
Her concern was her own exhilarating feelings, her nervousness at knowing she was under his roof.
Those sentiments were strong and disquieting, and she could not — or dared not — explain them.
She struggled to dismiss those musings and scolded herself for being such a simpleton.
Her only reason for being there was to take care of Georgiana, and she should be content that the girl had accepted her so readily.
A soft yet heart-breaking cry startled Elizabeth, and she hurried to the bed; Georgiana seemed caught in a terrifying dream, sweating, moving frantically, incoherent words flying from her lips.
Elizabeth shook her gently, calling her name quietly at first, then more loudly, until the girl woke up, looking around in obvious agitation. Elizabeth held her hands tightly, while Georgiana rose to sit.
“Lizzy?” she whispered.
“I am here. What happened, my dear?”
“I thought I was dreaming of you…”
“You look so frightened,” Elizabeth said, stroking her hair. “Is it so because you dreamt of me?” she teased her.
“No…not because of you.”
“It sounded like a terrible dream.”
“I think I have dreamt of you before, Lizzy. When I was younger. Mrs Richmond — my governess — used to tell me it was only a dream… Now I see you were real…”
“Very much so, my dear. Would you like a drink?”
“Yes please… Mrs Annesley?”
“I asked her to go and rest. She was very tired also.”
“Thank you. I know she is exhausted because of me—”
As they spoke, a knock on the door interrupted them, and Mr Darcy entered. His gaze fell on them, followed by a little frown.
“May I enter?” he enquired softly.
“Please do, Brother,” Georgiana answered. Elizabeth noticed the girl met her brother’s gaze only for a moment, then averted her eyes.
“Miss Bennet, I have come to tell you that your father and uncle have left. Mr Bennet will return tomorrow and bring your belongings. I shall send my carriage for him.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“It is almost dinner time. Will you join me for dinner downstairs?” he continued. Elizabeth looked at Georgiana, who seemed disquieted.